By Blake Jackson
The Kentucky Horse Council (KHC) has introduced a new Emergency Veterinary Assistance Program through its Save Our Horses (SOHO) Fund to provide support for horse owners facing financial hardship during urgent medical situations.
The initiative is designed to help ensure that horses requiring immediate veterinary attention can receive care from a licensed veterinarian when owners may otherwise be unable to afford treatment.
The program focuses exclusively on emergency cases where prompt intervention is necessary to prevent significant suffering or potential loss of life.
Eligible expenses include emergency stabilization, wound treatment, and short-term medical management for conditions such as colic, laminitis, lacerations, neurological disorders, eye injuries, and other acute health concerns.
Routine veterinary care, long-term treatment of chronic illnesses, and major surgical procedures are not covered under the program.
"The Kentucky Horse Council is pleased to announce a new SOHO program to the list of ways in which we aim to support Kentucky equids in need," says Dr. Page Mauk, Associate Veterinarian with Lexington Equine Medical Group, a Kentucky Horse Council board member, and Chair of the KHC Health and Welfare committee.
"The new KHC Emergency Assistance Program offers financial assistance toward emergency veterinary services. We all know that horses have a way of creating a crisis at the most inopportune times. We hope this program will remove the financial blockade that prevents some horse owners from seeking the veterinary assistance they need when the unexpected happens."
"This initiative expands upon the KHC's existing welfare programs, which include hay and feed assistance, gelding assistance, transportation assistance to horses being relinquished to an adoption or rescue organization, and euthanasia assistance," says KHC Executive Director Sarah E. Coleman.
"This program further solidifies KHC's role as the primary advocate for horses in Kentucky."
Kentucky residents who can demonstrate financial need and have a horse requiring immediate care may apply. Approved funds will be paid directly to the attending veterinarian.
Additional information, application details, and donation opportunities are available through the Kentucky Horse Council.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-patrick-jennings
Categories: Kentucky, Government & Policy, Livestock